ISSUE 24, 2004 Plant Evaluation Notes An Evaluation Study of Alchemilla Richard G. Hawke, Plant Evaluation Manager

ady mantles are invaluable garden covered with soft hairs, which hold water The Evaluation Project plants; perhaps not the flashiest, but drops on the surface and along the margins. The Chicago Botanic Garden (USDA Leasy to grow in diverse landscapes, The green to bright chartreuse flowers are Hardiness Zone 5b, AHS Plant Heat-Zone and the perfect foil for many other small, apetalous and borne in clusters above 5) evaluated 18 taxa of Alchemilla from perennials. The vibrancy of their chartreuse the foliage in late spring and summer. 1995 to 2000. The comparative trial flowers is singular, while a string of pearly Lady’s mantles grow best in moist, well- included cultivars of Alchemilla mollis, a dewdrops accentuates the elegance of the drained soils in full sun to partial shade. popular garden perennial, and a number of foliage. Who hasn’t marveled at a raindrop Extra water may be required in full sun, less commonly cultivated species. All plants moving languidly over the leaf surface like a especially in areas of high summer were commercially available at the outset of bead of mercury? The discovery of an early temperatures. Drought stress can cause the trial. morning, dew-covered lady’s mantle delights leaves to wither, but new leaves sprout Three plants of each taxon were children and seasoned gardeners alike. quickly if cut back. Lady’s mantles self-sow planted in a site that received full morning Alchemilla, or lady’s mantle, is an readily; deadheading reduces the number of sun. Mature trees nearby provided afternoon uncommon herbaceous member of the rose seedlings produced as well as rejuvenates the shade for all plants. The well-drained, clay- family (Rosaceae). The insignificant flowers, plants. Lady’s mantles do not have any loam soil had a pH of 7.5 during the trial. which lack showy petals, do not have much significant disease or pest problems. Maintenance practices were kept to a in common with flamboyant cousins like The small stature of lady’s mantles is minimum, but included providing additional roses (Rosa) and cinquefoils (Potentilla). ideal for the front of perennial borders, as water as needed and mulching with There are approximately 300 species of edging along paths and walls, in rock gardens shredded leaves around the plants. No Alchemilla native to Europe and Asia, and as ground covers. The grey-green leaves winter protection was provided. although fewer species are commonly of Alchemilla mollis and other species blend Observations cultivated. well with many colors in the garden, Throughout the evaluation period Most lady’s mantles are mounded, including purple, blue, pink, yellow and information was collected on ornamental clump-forming perennials with basal leaves white. Lady’s mantles combine well with traits; disease and pest problems; cultural arising from woody rhizomes. The palmately hardy geraniums (Geranium), bellflowers adaptability; and winter hardiness. Plant lobed to divided leaves are typically fan- (Campanula) and sages (Salvia), as well as traits and evaluation specifics for 16 taxa are shaped with small apical teeth. The long- foliage plants like coral bells (Heuchera) and shown in Table 1; the summary rating is stalked, grey-green to green leaves are often ferns. based on floral effectiveness (flower production and longevity of flower color), habit quality and plant health. Alchemilla caucasica and A. pubescens were determined to be the same plants as A. erythropoda and Richard Hawke A. glaucescens, respectively; therefore, were not included in Table 1. Overall, the lady’s mantles performed well, with 12 of the 16 taxa receiving four- star ratings based on good health, robust plant habit, strong floral display and winter hardiness. The Alchemilla trial was unique in the fact that subtle differences among many of the species and cultivars made them basically indistinguishable from each other. General comments on foliage, plant habits, floral traits and bloom periods are applicable to most of the lady’s mantles, with few exceptions noted. Alchemilla mollis ‘Auslese’ 2 Plant Evaluation Notes CHICAGO BOTANIC GARDEN

bulgarica, up to 6 inches on A. mollis the quality of the floral display since color cultivars. longevity was fairly consistent among the

Jenny Lee Jenny The majority of lady’s mantles had lady’s mantles. Species with greener flowers dense, mounded habits throughout the made less of a visual impact than species evaluation term. Habits were typically two with more brightly colored flowers. The to three times wider than tall, and were inflorescences of A. mollis and cultivars were approximately twice their foliar height when usually the largest, up to 9 inches across, inflorescences were fully upright. The while the smaller species had inflorescences propensity of the inflorescences to flop down to 6 inches across. around the perimeter of the plant as they The lady’s mantles were concluded to aged caused most plants to have a flattened be cold hardy and free of diseases and pests. appearance by midsummer. Alchemilla Only Alchemilla conjuncta and A. saxatilis vulgaris was similar in most characteristics to suffered winter injury because of poor health A. mollis, but tended to have a looser, in preceding seasons. Alchemilla conjuncta Alchemilla alpina spreading habit unlike any of the other received the lowest rating due in part to The lady’s mantles divide easily into species. Alchemilla bulgarica and A. epipsala severe crown damage in 1996-97, following two groups based on foliar traits: lobed and were small-leaved versions of A. mollis, but consecutive years of poor health. It deeply parted into separate leaflets. The A. epipsala had darker leaves. There were no completed only three years of the trial and number and cut of the lobes varied among obvious dissimilarities between A. mollis died during the winter of 1997-98. Alchemilla species, ranging from five to 11 lobes, and cultivars, except that ‘Senior’ was slightly saxatilis was in good health until the summer from shallow to cleft (cut almost to the shorter. of 1998 when it unexpectedly declined; all middle). Alchemilla alpina, A. conjuncta and Slight differences in flower color were plants subsequently had some crown damage A. saxatilis had leaves deeply parted into observed among the species. Alchemilla mollis during the following winter. separate leaflets. All other Alchemilla taxa cultivars tended to have the brightest Summary had palmately lobed leaves with basal lobes chartreuse flowers. Several other species had With few exceptions, the Alchemilla that touched or overlapped creating a duller yellowish green flowers, while A. species in the trial proved to be good garden circular outline. All species had some degree glabellata and A. saxatilis had light green plants. The similarity of the cultivated of foliar pubescence, either on both surfaces flowers. An exact bloom period was difficult species allows gardeners to interchange or on undersides only. Alchemilla alpina, A. to determine since there is little distinction them depending on availability. Recom- bulgarica, A. conjuncta and A. glaucescens between open and spent flowers. Instead, the mending one cultivar of A. mollis over featured prominent silvery margins due to period of floral effectiveness is based on the another is not necessary due to the minor silky hairs on the undersides of the leaves. quantity of flowers produced and how long differences in leaves, flowers and habits. Alchemilla conjuncta and A. saxatilis were the flowers remain colorful. Flowers on most Similarities aside, lady’s mantles remain uncommon in having semi-glossy green species were colorful from late May to mid- popular with gardeners as accent plants and leaves. Leaf sizes ranged from 2 inches on July and into August on A. mollis cultivars. ground covers. smaller species such as A. alpina and A. Flower production had a greater effect on

Table 1: Plant Characteristics and Performance Summary Ratings

Overall Alchemilla Height Width Leaf Color Leaf Leaf Shape Flower Floral Rating Pubescence Color Effectiveness1

#### alpina 5 in. 12 in. green undersides 5-7 deeply parted/leaflets yellowish green good #### bulgarica 8 in. 30 in. grey-green undersides 7-9 cleft lobes, palmate yellowish green excellent ### conjuncta 5 in. 12 in. glossy green undersides 7-9 deeply parted/leaflets greenish yellow poor #### epipsala 12 in. 30 in. grey-green undersides 9 shallow lobes, palmate chartreuse excellent #### erythropoda 7 in. 16 in. blue-green both sides 7-9 cleft lobes, palmate yellowish green good #### glabellata 7 in. 25 in. grey-green undersides 5-7 cleft lobes, palmate light green good ### glaucescens 10 in. 24 in. green both sides 7-9 shallow lobes, palmate yellowish green fair #### mollis 15 in. 30 in. grey-green both sides 9-11 shallow lobes, palmate chartreuse good #### mollis ‘Auslese’ 14 in. 32 in. grey-green both sides 9-11 shallow lobes, palmate chartreuse good #### mollis ‘Improved Form’ 12 in. 28 in. grey-green both sides 9-11 shallow lobes, palmate chartreuse good #### mollis ‘Robusta’ 14 in. 36 in. grey-green both sides 9-11 shallow lobes, palmate chartreuse good #### mollis ‘Senior’ 10 in. 28 in. grey-green both sides 9-11 shallow lobes, palmate chartreuse good #### mollis ‘Thriller’ 14 in. 30 in. grey-green both sides 9-11 shallow lobes, palmate chartreuse good ### rigida 7 in. 18 in. green undersides 7 cleft lobes, palmate yellowish green fair ### saxatilis 7 in. 18 in. glossy green undersides 5 deeply parted/leaflets light green fair #### vulgaris 14 in. 30 in. grey-green both sides 9-11 shallow lobes, palmate chartreuse excellent ©2004 CHICAGO BOTANIC GARDEN RE4932 ©2004 CHICAGO BOTANIC Overall Ratings: ★★★★★ excellent, ★★★★ good, ★★★ fair, ★★ poor, ★ very poor; half-star ratings included in table. 1Based on longevity of flower color and percent of flower coverage; excellent 76-100%, good 51-75%, fair 26-50% and poor <25%.

The Plant Evaluation Program is supported by the Searle Research Endowment and the Woman’s Board of the Chicago Horticultural Society. Plant Evaluation Notes© are periodic publications of the Chicago Botanic Garden. For more information or copies of back issues, contact the Plant Evaluation Program, Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe, Illinois 60022. The Chicago Botanic Garden is owned by the Forest Preserve District of Cook County.